Kate Middleton is pregnant with first child

Blooming: Kate Middleton at St Andrew's School in Pangbourne on Friday

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton are expecting their first baby.

A statement from St James's palace announced the news this afternoon and explained that the Duchess has been admitted to hospital with a severe form of morning sickness.

On Friday last week the Duchess visited her old school in Pangboune to help celebrate St Andrew's day and to open a new all-weather hockey pitch.

She joined pupils on the pitch for an impromtu game despite wearing high-heeled boots.

Her Royal Highness, who once captained the school hockey team, said she was thrilled to be back at her old school.

She said: "I absolutely loved my time here. They were some of my happiest years. I enjoyed it so much that when I left I said I would come back as a teacher."

The Duchess, who was born in the Royal Berkshire Hospital, has since been admitted to Edward VII Hospital in central London for treatment for a severe form of morning sickness .

A statement from St James's Palace said: "As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter."

“Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby. The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry and members of both families are delighted with the news."